Doggone… meet the Devon natives who have become internet superstars Devon has produced some pretty big stars over the years and Labradors Olive and Mabel are no exception. Their antics have captured a nation’s heart – with a little help from their owner, sports commentator Andrew Cotter. CHRISSY HARRIS talks to him Andrew, Olive and Mabel enjoy the great outdoors whenever they can. ‘Far more people in the wider public will recognise me now as the guy who talks to his dogs, rather than the one who commentates on the Olympics or Wimbledon’ 80 Devon Life: March/April 2021 oLive AnD mabeL ou never forget the day golf, rugby, tennis and athletics IT’S A DOG’S LIFE you picked up your coverage – temporarily switched Like many of us, Andrew puppy. “It’s a very, very subjects. realises he’s lucky to vivid memory,” says Olive and Mabel’s lives are now be a dog owner during AndrewY Cotter, recalling his trip played out on a global stage, with lockdown. “I have no idea to South Molton, North Devon, footage of the Devon-born dogs what I would have done, eight years ago to collect black going for their daily walk, taking never mind employment- Labrador, Olive. part in a Zoom call or competing wise,” he says. “Mentally, “Going to a dog breeder when over a squeaky bone, watched you need them. You need there are puppies around is a by millions of people across the to talk to them and stroke slightly chaotic experience but world. them and just have that then picking up the one that’s Andrew has even written a presence in the house yours, carrying it out to the car book, called Olive, Mabel and Me: that’s just wandering and taking her home, you know Life and Adventures with Two Very around, oblivious to all the it’s the start of a grand adventure. Good Dogs. issues in the world.” “Although, I didn’t know it was “My life has entirely changed, going to go in this direction…” basically,” says Scottish-born Sports commentator Andrew is Andrew, speaking to Devon talking about his slightly unusual Life from his home in Cheshire, commentates on the side lines. career diversion, which has seen with Olive snoozing at his feet. “That’s been the most him use his skills to document “Having a book about dogs gratifying part of it, when you the lives of his Devon-born dogs, and doing videos about dogs see the reaction coming back and Olive, eight and Mabel, four. has essentially become a job. I how it does mean something to It started during the first never wanted it to be that but people,” says Andrew, still blown lockdown in March last year that is what has filled the gap, away by Olive and Mabel’s star when, bored at home with no sort of entertaining myself and status. “They get recognised all sport around, Andrew decided to hopefully some other people as the time, it’s ridiculous. People Photo: Andrew Cotter Andrew Photo: commentate on Olive and Mabel’s well.” will stop and say: ‘is that Olive Andrew, Olive and Mabel enjoy the great outdoors whenever they can. breakfast time. No one could have predicted and Mabel?’. ‘Can I have a photo?’ The video went viral how widespread the need was to ‘Yes,’ I say, ‘I’ll just carry on and broadcaster Andrew – spend 90 seconds watching two walking and they can just catch regarded as one of the leading dogs standing in a pond or eating me up…’.” commentators on the BBC’s their breakfast while their owner Andrew admits creating new 4 Photo: Iain Cameron Iain Photo: Olive and Mabel’s lives are now played out on a global stage Devon Life: March/April 2021 81 Photo: Iain Cameron Iain Photo: above: content for his pets’ legions of Also, you’ve got to come up with in the wider public will recognise Andrew has fans can be difficult at times, the ideas. I don’t have to come me now as the guy who talks to been on many especially when Olive and Mabel up with the idea for the Olympic his dogs, rather than the one who adventures with don’t play ball. Or fetch. Or do Games – someone has already commentates on the Olympics his dogs. anything they’re told to do. done that.” or Wimbledon. But that’s no bad “It’s less stressful doing the Despite the challenges, Andrew thing, I can do both.” sports broadcasting,” says is enjoying discovering just how One person who will definitely Andrew, who has covered the transferable his skills are but is be listening out is Helen Harvey, Olympic Games, Wimbledon, hoping for a return to business as owner of Ridgeway Labradors in The Masters, the Six Nations, usual at some stage this year. South Molton, where Olive and Rugby World Cup, the World With Wimbledon and then the Mabel started life. Athletics Championships and Olympics due to take place (in She is delighted that two of her the Boat Race during his 24-year theory) it could be time to fall pups have gone on to achieve so broadcasting career. “When back on the sporting commentary much. you’re commentating on sports job. “I am so utterly proud, chuffed events, the sport is the main “Doing the Olympic opening to pieces,” she says, speaking event and my commentary is just ceremony is just a huge thing in from her living room, currently the bit on top of that, whereas a sports broadcaster’s career,” home to the latest litter of below: when you make video or you’re says Andrew. “When that does Labradors. Helen and her family Helen Harvey writing a book, what you do is happen, I hope people won’t be have been breeding top-quality of Ridgeway Labradors everything,” he says. “You worry going, ‘oh, that’s the guy who dogs since 1998 and have many with her latest about whether it’s going to be does the dogs!’ But I know that repeat customers, including additions. good enough or funny enough. ship has sailed. Far more people Andrew, who came back to buy A LOVE OF LABRADORS Labradors Ridgeway Photo: Helen Harvey set up Ridgeway Labradors in 1998 with her first litter of puppies, using her original Labrador, Jeffrey, as the sire. She is passionate about the breed and says she feels privileged to be doing what she’s doing. “It’s not just breeding dogs,” says Helen, who says she has a few celebrities on her books. “It’s my way of changing people’s lives. “Every day I work so hard so that all my customers can experience the joy of a Ridgeway Labrador puppy.” 82 Devon Life: March/April 2021 oLive AnD mabeL Photo: Andrew Cotter Andrew Photo: Mabel four years ago. “I remember Olive and Mabel well,” says Helen, who is devoted to her puppies. She is with them as soon as they are born, handling them and getting to know them before they’re old enough to start life with their new owners. “It’s been so lovely to see them doing so well. I took a screenshot of the TV when I saw them on the BBC and ran upstairs to tell my daughter. We’re all so proud. I want to send lots of love to Olive and Mabel!” They might have fans all over the world, but Olive, Mabel and Andrew have never forgotten where it all started. “Helen’s lovely and they’re fantastic dogs,” says Andrew, as Olive looks up at him impatiently because he mentioned they might be going to the beach. “We’d love to come back to Devon when we’re allowed,” he adds. “We’ve got some friends in Totnes, so we’ll come down again soon, I’m sure, and go for some nice walks along the River Dart.” The perfect homecoming for two very special celebrities. u andrewcotter.co.uk; ridgewaylabradors.co.uk Andrew Cotter, Olive and Mabel are looking forward to a trip to Devon Photo: Andrew Cotter Andrew Photo: Andrew Cotter with his Devon-born dogs (l-r) Mabel and Olive Devon Life: March/April 2021 83.